Marking device for breast surgery

Abstract

A breast marking device includes an annular body and a circular felt marking pad disposed on a front end of body which holds ink. A removable annular cap covers the felt marking pad and is secured to the body. The cap has a pair of annular walls which frictionally engage the body to removably secure the cap to the body. A projection extends from a front face of the cap which defines a circular, pointed, marking edge substantially concentric with the felt marking pad. The marking edge has substantially the same diameter as the felt marking pad. A stop is provided on the body to limit movement of the cap on the body such that the cap engages the stop to space the cap from the felt marking pad. A circular imprint is made on the breast with the marking edge so as to discolor flesh thereof. Once an imprint is made, a circle of ink is stamped with the felt marking pad substantially where the circular imprint was made. Before stamping the circle of ink, the location of the circular imprint is examined to determine whether the location of the circular imprint is accurate. If the location is not accurate, than the circular imprint is rubbed to reduce the discoloration and another circular imprint is made prior to stamping the circle of ink.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A marking device comprising: a body;   a circular marking pad disposed on a front end of said body and adapted to hold ink; and   a projection extending from the device and defining a circular, pointed marking edge having substantially the same diameter as the marking pad.   
     
     
       2. The marking device according to claim 1, wherein said marking edge is substantially concentric with said marking pad. 
     
     
       3. The marking device according to claim 2, wherein said marking edge is disposed on a rear end of said body. 
     
     
       4. The marking device according to claim 1, further comprising ink held by said marking pad. 
     
     
       5. The marking device according to claim 1, wherein said marking pad is porous. 
     
     
       6. The marking device according to claim 5, wherein said marking pad is felt. 
     
     
       7. The marking device according to claim 5, further comprising ink held in said marking pad. 
     
     
       8. The marking device according to claim 1, wherein said body is annular. 
     
     
       9. The marking device according to claim 1, further comprising a removable cap covering said marking pad and secured to said body. 
     
     
       10. The marking device according to claim 9, wherein said body and said cap are annular. 
     
     
       11. The marking device according to claim 10, wherein said cap has a pair of annular walls frictionally engaging said body to space said cap from said marking pad. 
     
     
       12. The marking device according to claim 9, further comprising a stop adapted to space said cap from said marking pad. 
     
     
       13. The marking device according to claim 12, wherein said stop is disposed on said body and is adapted to limit movement of said cap on said body. 
     
     
       14. The marking device according to claim 13, wherein said cap has a pair of annular walls frictionally engaging said body and said stop to space said cap from said marking pad. 
     
     
       15. The marking device according to claim 9, wherein said projection is disposed on a front face of said cap. 
     
     
       16. The marking device according to claim 15, wherein said marking edge is substantially concentric with said marking pad. 
     
     
       17. A breast marking device comprising: an annular body;   a circular felt pad disposed on a front end of said body;   ink held in the pad;   a removable annular cap covering said felt pad and secured to said body, said cap having a pair of annular walls frictionally engaging said body; and   a projection extending from a front face of the cap and defining a circular, pointed marking edge substantially concentric with said felt pad and having substantially the same diameter as said felt pad.   
     
     
       18. The breast marking device according to claim 17, further comprising a stop on said body adapted to limit movement of said cap on said body, said cap engaging said stop to space said cap from said felt pad.